Kalighat Temple Kolkata

Dedicated to Goddess Kali, Kalighat Temple is a famous Hindu Temple in Kolkata, West Bengal. People from all over the country visit the temple to seek the blessings of Maa Kali.

Kalighat Temple is believed to have existed from the time of Chandragupta II. The original temple was a small hut-shaped structure, which was built by Raja Mansingh in the 16th century. The present structure was completed in 1809 under the guidance of Sabarna Roy Chowdhry.

The main shrine of the temple has a unique image of Goddess Kali. The present idol of Maa Kali was made by two saints - Brahmananda Giri and Atmaram Giri. The idol has three huge eyes and a long tongue and four hands, which are made of gold. The temple features floral and peacock-motif tiles which give it a Victorian look.

There is a sacred tank called Kundupukar which lies in the south east corner of the temple complex. The water of this tank is considered as holy as Ganga. It is believed that the water has the power to bestow the boon of a child.

Legend of Kalighat Kali Temple

The temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. According to the legend, the temple stands at the place where the one of parts of Sati’s body had fallen in the course of Shiva’s Rudra Tandava. Kalighat is the site where the toe of Sati fell. It is believed that, long back, a devotee discovered a ray of light coming from the Bhagirathi river bed. Later, it was found that the source was a piece of stone which was carved in the form of a human toe. After finding that, the devotee started worshipping Maa Kali in a jungle. The temple is also associated with Chowringi Nath, a Dasanami monk who prayed to Goddess Kali.